What does it mean to change locks, and should you rekey or replace?
When people ask us to change their locks, they usually mean one thing: the old keys should stop working. That is the goal. There are two ways to get there, and the right one depends on the hardware on your door, not on what sounds more serious.
Rekeying keeps your existing lock body and changes the inside of the cylinder so a new key works and the old keys do not. Replacing means taking the lock off the door and installing a different one. Both leave you with a door that only your new keys will open. The difference is in what you end up with: the same hardware with new internals, or new hardware altogether.
Plenty of customers call not knowing which they need, and that is fine. Describe the door, the lock, and why you want the change, and we'll tell you honestly which route makes sense. If rekeying is enough, we won't sell you a replacement. If your lock is worn out, loose, or poor quality, we'll say so and explain why rekeying it would be a waste of effort.
Why change door locks after buying a house or moving in?
You can never know how many keys exist for a lock you did not install. Previous owners, tenants, relatives, contractors, a cleaning service, a neighbor who watered plants once: any of them may have kept a copy. Nobody has to be untrustworthy for this to be a problem. Keys simply wander, and a lock change is the only way to reset who has access.
That is why a locksmith for a new house is usually one of the first calls after closing, ahead of most of the cosmetic projects. It is a small job that settles a big question: who can walk in? The same logic applies after a breakup, after a roommate leaves, after a lost set of keys, or after any situation where you are not sure where your keys have ended up.
Common reasons South El Monte customers ask us to change locks:
- You bought a home and received an unknown number of keys, or only some of them.
- You moved into a rental or a new place and want a fresh start on who holds keys.
- A key was lost or stolen, and the address may be tied to it through a wallet, a bag, or a car.
- A former tenant, roommate, partner, or employee still has a copy.
- The existing lock is worn, sticks, or has keys that barely turn.
- You want to switch to a different style of lock, or to one that matches the rest of the hardware on the house.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How we change locks, step by step
The process is simple, and we explain each part as we go so nothing about the work is a surprise. Here is how a typical visit goes, whether we come to your home in a mobile van or you have called after hours.
- You call (213) 577-1366. Someone answers at any hour, any day of the year. Tell us the address, which doors are involved, and what led you to call.
- We ask about the locks: brand if you know it, whether there is a deadbolt, whether the door has a security screen, and whether anything sticks or feels loose. Photos help but are not required.
- On arrival we look at each lock in person. We check the cylinder, the latch and bolt, the strike plate, and how the door sits in its frame.
- We lay out your options in plain terms: rekey what you have, or replace some or all of the hardware. You decide before we touch anything.
- We do the work. For a rekey, we remove the cylinder, change its internal pins to match new keys, and put it back. For a replacement, we install the new lock and check it against the door.
- We test every key, from both sides of the door, with the door open and then closed. We also check that the bolt throws fully into the strike with no binding.
- If you want all your doors on one key, we can set them up to match. You get the new keys, and we go over the extra copies you may need.
How do we decide between rekeying and replacing your locks?
This is the question the service exists to answer, so here is how we think it through. The detailed work of each option lives on our pages for lock rekeying and lock replacement. Here is how they apply to a lock change decision.
- Rekey when the lock is in good working order. If the hardware is sound, the finish is acceptable, and the key turns smoothly, rekeying changes the keys without changing the lock. It is usually the more economical route.
- Rekey when you want several doors on the same key. Matching the front door, back door, and any side entrances to one key is a common request.
- Replace when the lock is worn or damaged. A cylinder that is loose, gritty, or hard to turn is not worth rekeying. New keys in a failing lock just give you a failing lock.
- Replace when the hardware is a poor fit for the door. A weak latch, a missing deadbolt, or a lock that does not suit the way the door is used is a reason to upgrade rather than reset.
- Replace when you want a different function or style. Moving to a keypad, a different finish, or a stronger deadbolt means new hardware by definition.
- Replace if the lock has been forced or tampered with. Scratches around the keyway, a bent latch, or signs of prying mean the lock's integrity is in question.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What affects the cost of a lock change in South El Monte?
We don't quote prices on a web page, because the honest answer depends on the job. What we can do is tell you exactly what moves the cost up or down, so that nothing surprises you when we give you a figure on the phone or at the door.
The biggest factor is rekey versus replace. Rekeying reuses your hardware, so you are paying mostly for labor and parts inside the cylinder. Replacing adds the cost of the new lock itself, and that varies widely by grade, brand, and finish.
The next factor is how many locks are involved. A single front door is a smaller job than a front door, back door, garage entry, and a couple of side gates. Matching several locks to one key takes planning but saves you from carrying a ring of different keys.
The grade of lock matters too. Standard residential hardware, high-security cylinders, and smart locks sit in different cost ranges. If you want to upgrade a door's security, we can talk about deadbolt installation or smart lock installation as a separate decision.
Other things that can affect the figure:
- The condition of the door and frame. If a door has swollen, warped, or shifted, extra adjustment may be needed before a lock will work properly.
- Whether the lock is a common type or an unusual one that requires special parts.
- The number of keys you want cut.
- The time of day. After-hours and overnight calls are a different kind of scheduling than a daytime appointment.
- Travel distance. Our storefront is in Westwood, roughly 26 miles from South El Monte, and we serve you with a mobile van.
Changing locks in South El Monte: homes, screen doors, and the 91733 ZIP
South El Monte is a compact city, and a lot of its housing is modest postwar single-family homes, with most dating from the 1940s through the 1960s. Homes of that age can have hardware that has been replaced piece by piece over the decades, so a front door and a back door may not share a keyway, and nobody may know how many copies of each key are out there. For a new owner in 91733, a full lock change is a sensible way to start fresh and, if you wish, put every door on one key.
Security screen doors are a common retrofit here, and they matter when you are changing locks. The screen door has its own lock, separate from the main door. If you rekey the front door and leave the screen door untouched, the old key may still unlock the first barrier. We always ask about screen doors and offer to include them in the job.
Heat is the other local factor. South El Monte sits in an inland basin with hot, dry summers, and the main climate effect is thermal expansion in doors. Wood residential doors swell and shift with temperature, and metal doors expand as well. A lock that was fine in spring can start to bind in August. When we change a lock, we check how the bolt lines up with the strike and adjust it so it works in both cool and hot conditions.
Residential blocks near New Temple Park are a good example of how a lock change often starts. A resident gets locked out, or a key goes missing, and the call that began as a lockout turns into a question: should we change the locks since the key is out there? If you are in that spot, our house lockout service gets you inside first, and then we can change the locks during the same visit if you decide to.
On the commercial side, the Garvey Avenue corridor, the Santa Anita Avenue corridor, and the Rush Street industrial district have a lot of industrial and commercial buildings. Some of the people who live and work near these corridors call us about their homes after a change at work, such as a departing employee. If the real issue is a business door or a shared set of keys across a workplace, a master key system may serve you better than a one-door lock change, and we can explain the difference when we talk.
If you are near the Whittier Narrows edge on the south side of the city, the same approach applies: describe your door and we will come with the parts and tools to handle it.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for a lock change?
We have been in business since 1987, and a lock change is one of the most common jobs we do. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles, plus mobile service vans that come to you in South El Monte and across 140 cities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
When you call, you reach us, not a national call center that dispatches whichever contractor is available. We are one company, so the person who answers is part of the same operation that does the work. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work we do, and that matters on a job where the point is trust.
We answer the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year, at (213) 577-1366. You do not need to wait for business hours to deal with a lock you do not trust, especially after a break-in scare, a lost key, or a move-in late in the day.
We also give straight advice. If rekeying is enough, we say so. If your lock needs replacing, we explain what is wrong with it. You should leave knowing what was done and why.
How to check any locksmith before they work on your door
California requires locksmith companies to hold a license from the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), called a Locksmith Company (LCO) license. Ask any locksmith for their LCO license number before they start work, and check it with the state if you want to confirm it. This is a reasonable thing to ask, and a legitimate company will not mind.
Other things worth checking, especially when you are choosing someone to change the locks on your home: ask for a clear explanation of the work before it begins, ask whether the price you are given is the full price for the job, and be wary of anyone who wants to drill or replace a lock that could simply be rekeyed. A lock change should leave you feeling more secure, not more confused.
Related services if a lock change is not quite what you need
Sometimes the real need is a little different from a lock change. If you manage a rental and need locks changed between tenants, our page for locksmith services for landlords covers that situation. If you cannot get to us and need someone to come to you, our mobile locksmith page explains how that works. And if you just are not sure what to do, call (213) 577-1366 and describe the situation. We will tell you whether it is a lock change, something simpler, or something we should handle differently.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to rekey or replace locks when I buy a house in South El Monte?
If your existing locks are in good condition, rekeying is usually the more economical route and gives you the same result: old keys stop working and new ones take over. If the locks are worn, loose, or low quality, replacing them makes more sense. We look at each lock and tell you which fits.
Can you change all the locks on my house to use one key?
Yes, in most cases. We can rekey or replace the front door, back door, and other locks so a single key operates them. The exception is a lock that is incompatible or in poor condition, which we would replace with one that can be matched. We will tell you what we find when we look at the doors.
Do I need to change the lock on my security screen door too?
If you want the old keys to stop working everywhere, yes. A screen door has its own lock, separate from the main door, so changing only the main lock leaves the screen door on the old key. Many homes in South El Monte have security screen doors, so we ask about them on every call.
How soon after moving in should I change my locks?
As soon as is practical. Until you do, you do not know who holds a copy of your keys. Many new homeowners call on the day they get possession, and we answer 24 hours a day, so there is no need to wait for business hours.
Will changing the locks damage my door?
It should not. Rekeying works inside the cylinder, and replacement usually fits the existing holes in the door. If the door is old, warped, or has been drilled in the wrong places over the years, we point that out before we begin so you know what to expect.
What if I lost my only key and I am locked out?
Call us. We can get you inside and then change the lock so the lost key is useless, often in the same visit. If you only need the door opened, we do that too, and you can decide about the lock afterward.
How do I know if a locksmith is legitimate?
California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS Locksmith Company (LCO) license. Ask any locksmith for their license number before they start work. Also ask for a clear description of the work and the full cost before anyone touches your lock.
Can you change locks on a rental property I manage in South El Monte?
Yes. Lock changes between tenants are routine work. We can rekey several units to match a system or give each unit its own key. Our landlord page covers the details, and you can call us at (213) 577-1366 to discuss what your property needs.
Do you come to South El Monte, or do I have to bring the lock in?
We come to you. Our storefront is in Westwood, and our mobile vans serve South El Monte and 139 other cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Most lock changes are done at your door, so you do not need to remove anything or bring it to us.
More locksmith help in South El Monte
Change Locks near South El Monte
Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.